In 1956, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) put forward the slogan "March Towards Science and Technology." The State Council set up a science planning commission, formulated the first long-term program of scientific and technological development, i.e. the "1956~1967 National Long-range Program for Scientific and Technological Development," and worked out 57 tasks, making all-round deployment and arrangement for the development of the basic research.    The implementation of the program laid a foundation for the cause of science and technology in China, significantly affecting the development of the basic research in China. In 1962, the National Scientific and Technological Working Conference was held, and the "1963~1972 Science and Technology Development Program" was formulated.    In the 10-year "Cultural Revolution," China's scientific and technological researches suffered a great destruction, almost stagnated.

In 1956, Premier Zhou Enlai delivered the call of "March Towards Science and Technology" in the political report at the 2nd session of the National Political Consultative Conference